Sixth Grade Presentations

Parent dinner and presentations is scheduled for Wednesday, June 9 at 5:00pm.

5:00-6:30pm presentation block 1

6:30-7:00pm dinner (stretch as needed)

7:00-8:30 presentation block 2


Daytime presentations will be Wed 6/9, Thurs 6/10.

Please Let us know which times; early evening or later evening will work better for your family so we can organize the presentations.

Final Project

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Fourth Quarter Assignment

1. 
   
   Make your first decision:
   1. 
      
      Are you a sixth grader? Then relax, you already have your assignment started. No, wait, you have due dates soon, get back to work!
   2. 
      
      Select a passion and consider options for a “going-out” and interview opportunity.

(ex: Love of dogs = vet, Humane Society, Petco)

1. 
   
   Consider your family history and your point of immigration. Collect family stories.
1. 
   
   Submit your topic and plan for this project by 4/19/10.
2. 
   
   Brainstorm a list of questions for your interview. (by April 23^rd – review in class)
   1. 
      
      A word web style might organize your thoughts.
   2. 
      
      Be sure to prepare related/ follow-up questions
3. 
   
   Schedule your interview.
   1. 
      
      Plan a method for notes (written or recorded).
   2. 
      
      Practice before calling what to say.
   3. 
      
      Know possible dates to meet beforehand.
4. 
   
   Conduct the interview (Unless scheduled as a “going-out”, parents will need to sign off this area.)
   1. 
      
      Dress nicely for your interview.
   2. 
      
      Be attentive to the answers so you may ask follow-up questions.
   3. 
      
      Be sure to thank your subject. (Also, send a thank you note afterward with a copy of your transcript or summary.)
5. 
   
   Review notes or prepare a transcript of your recording. (by May 14^th – review in class)
6. 
   
   Write a summary of the interview. (by June 1^st – review in class)
   1. 
      
      Length will depend on the depth (or challenge) you aim for.
   2. 
      
      Call with follow-up questions if things don't make sense in your notes.
   3. 
      
      Use quotes rather than a script format.
7. 
   
   Prepare a presentation for the class. (Present on June 7^th or 8^th .)
   1. 
      
      Practice sharing information or a story from your interview.
   2. 
      
      Consider only highlights to share in a five minute or less period (note-cards may be helpful).
   3. 
      
      Prepare any props or displays that compliment your presentation (photos, objects relevant to your study, etc.)
8. 
   
   Evaluate yourself with the rubric. Add comments about the process, esp. what you found valuable or interesting.

Checklist

_______ Proposal for topic and plan (Due April 19^th)

_______ List of questions and related questions (Due April 23^rd)

_______ Comments on Interview Process

_______ Notes or transcript (Due May 14^th)

_______ Summary of Interview (Due June 1^st)

Presentation scheduled for June ____ @ _____.

(Parents are welcome to attend.)

	5	3	1
Preparation	Before the interview, the student prepared several in-depth AND factual questions to ask.	Before the interview, the student prepared several factual questions to ask	The student did not prepare any questions before the interview.
Scheduling the Interview	The student introduced himself, explained why he wanted to interview the person, and asked permission to set up a time for an interview. Student sent a thank-you note to the subject afterward.	The student asked needed reminders to set up an interview.	The student needed assistance in all aspects of setting up the interview.
Note-taking	The interviewer took occasional notes during the interview, but usually maintained focus on the person rather than the notes. Notes were added to immediately after the interview so facts were not lost.	The interviewer took notes during the interview, but did so in a way that interrupted the "flow" of the interview.	The interviewer took no notes during or after the interview.
Interview	The student listened carefully to the person being interviewed and asked several relevant follow-up questions based on what the person said.	The student asked a couple of follow-up questions based on what s/he thought the person said.	The student did not ask any follow-up questions based on what the person said.
Formatting and Editing	The student edited and organized the transcript or notes in a way that made the information clear and interesting.	The student edited and organized the transcript or notes but the information was not as clear or as interesting as it could have been.	The student did NOT edit or organize the transcript.
Report Writing (Summary of interviews)	The report is well organized and contains accurate quotations and facts taken from the interview.	The report contains accurate quotations and facts taken from the interview.	The report is lacking facts and quotations from the interview OR the quotes and facts are not accurately reported.
Presentation to Class (knowledge gained)	Student can accurately answer several questions about the person who was interviewed and can tell how this interview relates to the subject of interest.	Student can accurately answer a few questions about the person who was interviewed.	Student cannot accurately answer questions about the person who was interviewed.
Preparedness for Presentation	Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed. He/ she used a display or props to compliment the information.	The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking. He/ she may have added items to share.	Student does not seem at all prepared to present.
Deadlines	Student met all deadlines and challenged self toward a worthwhile project.	Student met requirements.	Student lost enthusiasm for the project and just plodded along.

Student Comment Section:

School Website

Our school website requires a webmaster to make it into an effective communication device for all current  and prospective parents.  Since my position as secretary of Friend's is up this year, I have taken on this responsibility for the rest of this year and next.  I am hoping that this will make the blog obsolete and unnecessary.  In the link section, a link to the school's website is available.  Please make it a bookmark and check it often.  I also need feedback, so please don't hesitate to send your ideas to my email address with "website" in the subject line and help us make this website better.

Parent's Day Tea

You are invited to join us in the Owyhee on Monday for tea, snacks, poetry and entertainment.  The party will start at 2:00 and end at 3:00.  Your child will spend the day decorating and preparing food for this event.  If you are not able to make the event (sorry about the late notice) we will be sending home an anthology for you.  You are an important part of our school and certainly an important part of your child’s life.  Whether you can make it on Monday or not, please know that we appreciate all you do to support our program and your child.

Book Report

The students should be reading a biograpghy for their March book report.  On Wednesday, they will need to present the information in a creative way- trifold board, monologue, power point, newspaper, etc.  It should show that they read the book and learned something about the person.  The dead line has been extended to the 31st, because families have expressed concern and the month has been a little interrupted.  Looking forward to hearing about all the famous people!

Conferences

Yes, it is that time again!  The third quarter ends this Friday and conferences are the following week on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday between 1:30 and 5:00.  Please sign-up as soon as possible.  I am encouraging you to bring your student with you.  At this time of year, we all need to be on the same page, begin setting goals for next year, and empower our students with the ability and responsiblity to make changes for the betterment of thier education. I am looking forward to speaking with all of you. 

Plans for Camping in June

Brigitte, Jamie, and Diana are making plans for our annual camping trip that will take place the first week in June.  We take over Camp WeChaMe which is located near Galena for three days and two nights.  During this time, we explore nature while on hikes, learn about or world through small group lessons, and bond as a community by participating in singing, skits, and meals-time.  This culminating activity requires the help of everyone, so we are asking all parents to sign-up for chaperoning, teaching, cooking, and any other assistance that you can provide.  Please let me know what you can do to make this the best end-of-the-year experience!

Used Book Sale

Upper Elementary would like to have a used book fair during the Science Fair next week.  We are asking that you send your slightly used books to school by next Wednesday.  We will be set-up in Lissner Hall between 6:00-7:30, please stop by and help us raise funds for some new microscopes.

Communication

Thursday, students were sent home with a goldenod colored paper.  The paper asks you to fill out your contact information.  This information will be used by the Parent, Teacher Organization.  Please look over it, fill it out and return it as soon as possible.  We are trying to make sure that everyone has access to information about the school events and activities.

Yearbooks

Yearbooks are not just for middle school and high school anymore.  This is the second year that HDMS has offered students the opportunity to develop a school-wide yearbook.  The Middle School Yearbook Club has been working on creating a hard bound book which contains pictures of the special and daily events that take place at our school.  The book is reasonably priced and can be purchased through the office or Miss Kelley, our Yearbook committee leader.  I have a copy of last year's if you would like to see a sample of what is included.  It is a great graduation gift and a way to remember the exciting activities that happen each year at our school.  Don't be left out!

CRT TESTING

The first week in March is just around the corner.  This is the week when all 3rd-8th Graders are tested on their knowledge of the year's objectives.  We suggest that student get as much sleep as possible by limiting the evening events during this week. The tests will begin at 9:00 and students that are tardy will not be allowed into the testing environment.  They will need to be tested in the afternoon, so please don't schedule morning appointments for of this week.  A good breakfast high in protein will help them to preform well.  The scores will be part of our Academic Yearly Progress a component of No Child Left Behind.   We are working hard to make sure that everyone does their best, so please practice the ACE problems, discuss math, reading, writing and science when ever possible.  If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Supplies

We are looking for some supplies as we move into the last half of the year.  We are looking for plastic storage containers(shoe box size and smaller) to hold some of our smaller materials and to help us organize some clutter collecting in our closet.  We could use composition books, plastic folders, and newsprint that is three feet wide for our health unit.  We appreciate all that you provided at the beginning of the year and anything that you can provide at this time.  We are beginning to discuss plans for next year, so if you have any thoughts or suggestions, please click on the comment link or the e-mail me envelope at the bottom of the page.

Essay

Some students have worked very hard on their Black History essay, for those students, I would like to give them the opportunity to continue refinements on  their work for another week instead of moving to the narrative essay.  I have enjoyed learning with the students this week.  The room has a new atmosphere.  I hope we can continue to build up the culture that is beginning to develop.

Fight for Education

Please attend a rally, organized by the Nevada State Education Association, on Saturday, February 13 from 9 until 1 at City Hall in support of stopping the budget cuts for education.  The Governor is asking for schools to propose budgets with 10-20% cuts for the 2010-2011 school year.  Approximately, 650 teachers in Washoe County will lose their jobs.  We are at the bottom of the list for per pupil expenditures, but 18th from the top in the number of objectives covered by teachers.  Your attendance is not need for the entire time, but showing up will make an impression.  If you are unable to attend, please write your Governor about express your concern for the future.

Community Help

This information comes to us from the administrator at Mariposa. Once you get to the site click on immigration assistance.

Homework

Last week, I received a minimal amount of homework back on Friday and after talking to the other Upper Elementary teachers we had similar concerns.  Ms. Frost, our Love and Logic Trainer, told us about an up coming webimar on homework.We are thinking of broadcasting it at the school.  Please let me know if you are interested so that we can make the appropriate accommodations.

Sixth Grade Projects

All of our sixth graders received approval on their topics this week, but many of them struggled with finding the required number of books necessary for this big project. Lessons on accessing and reserving materials at the Washoe County Libraries were given to student who had their library cards, and will continue to be given until the end of next week. We are also planning a "going out" for next week on Tuesday or Wednesday to retrieve these materials at the Sparks Library. Sixth graders are required to have a book with them in class each day so that they may work on their note cards as they finish classwork and daily lessons. Five points for topic and 10 points for note cards have been given to those students that were checked this week. More points will be given and past expectations can still be met with a minimal amount of lost points. Help your students to get caught up and stay up-to-date with future deadlines.

Science Help

For science next week (Thursday afternoon 2/11), Linda has planned for the students to create their own earth model, highlighting the layers of the earth. I need five or six volunteers to make a different color of play-dough(e-mail me for your assignment) or send in the ingredients for students to make in class.

Report Cards

The end of the semester is here! This means that report cards should arrive in the mail the first week in February. Please set up a time to discuss any concerns that may arise. Reading logs, book summaries and reports, daily math assignments, the multi-cultural project and weekly writing assignments factor into your student's grades. Please look for and discuss graded work which should come home each Monday in their plastic folders. This will give you a snapshot of the work that is being turned in. The third quarter starts Monday and everyone has an A.

Poetry Winners

In October, we submitted poems to the Celebration of Poets contest put on by Creative Communication. Last week, we received letters that two of the poems were excepted into the anthology. Hunter Waldren and Brandon O'Neil need one additional edit before publication. I will be ordering one of the books to keep in the classroom. Congratulations on being Owyhee's first published authors!
In February, they have an essay contest. I plan to talk to the teachers about submitting a few of the essays that will be written next week. Do your best and let's see how many author's we can publish in one year.